Testimonials

Personal Reviews and Experiences from Past Volunteers

“We spent 3 weeks with Medical Electives Belize for our medical elective. Staying with Nancy’s family was the perfect way immerse ourselves in the town – she really looked after us and we felt safe and very at home the whole time. The accommodation was clean, comfortable, and well equipped with an ensuite bathroom and kitchenette. Nancy was very helpful and kindly provided us with anything else we needed.

Our experience in the hospital was also very positive. It is a small community hospital but covers maternity, emergency, and outpatient departments so we got a broad range of experience. We saw lots of conditions we aren’t usually exposed to in the UK and learned the similarities and differences between our healthcare systems. Lots of the staff were keen to teach and allowed us to get involved as much as we wanted. They made us feel welcome and we were sad to say goodbye!” — Best wishes, Meg


“I took part in a 4 weeks elective placement with Medical Electives Belize. The booking process was very straight forward, the website offered clear instructions for any inquiries, and I was in regular email contact with the company. The family I stayed with was very welcoming, the kids are great fun, and living quarters are comfortable and homely. The placement itself was organised through the family. I was well orientated to the hospital and was appropriately introduced to the medical staff. During my 4 weeks there, I was exposed to a wide variety of clinical scenarios, working in both the clinic areas and the maternity ward in San Ignacio Hospital. The elective package also included weekend excursions, which was a great way to relax in between the placement, to explore the beautiful country and to meet new people. Overall, I would definitely recommend Medical Electives Belize to any future medical students who wish to volunteer in Belize, as it’s a fantastic and unforgettable experience.”

– Mengxia Sun, student of University of Manchester School of Medicine


“This is an opportunity that will expand your global vision. You will return home with much more than you had before.”

– Kate Strokhecker, student


“We had the most amazing experience in Belize all due to the generosity and personal attention we received from the Marin Family and Belize Medical Electives. All the arrangements were flawlessly handled by Nancy Marin. She is extremely professional and it was a pleasure to have her handle our trip and take care of all our needs. We came away with a renewed interest in this area, and look forward to future visits in this glorious paradise.”

– Dr. Guy Rowley and Anat Rowley, Sage Medical Group, Chicago, IL


“Nancy has been wonderful and easy to talk to. I feel has listened fully to any issues or concerns that I’ve had. She dealt with my change of placement very quickly. I also want to say that the people at the old people s home have been most welcoming and wonderful to work with, accepting me very quickly into Octavia Waight. Most of all my host, Nelida has made me feel very welcome and comfortable in her home. All of the above have introduced me to a wonderful side of Belize. At Nurse Margaret’s clinic I have joined forces with the nurses there and have had a busy but rewarding 3 weeks with them. I have definitely felt like a useful addition. They do an amazing and safe job with the limited resources that they have.”

– Dr. Pippa Vickery


“Best thing I ever did. I’ll never forget the people I met or the friendships I made in Belize. I highly recommend this – it was an experience of a lifetime.”

– Katie Finn, Student


“Volunteering abroad provided me with more than just the opportunity to share and learn clinical skills, but also allowed me to explore a new area of the world.”
Med Elect Testimonial » — Click to read the whole testimonial


“Volunteering at Barzakh Falah has been one of the most rewarding aspects of our study abroad trip. While these are the most physically demanding days on the trip, the experiences that are learned there are immeasurable. Over the multiple years, our experiences have been extremely personal and humbling, in that Nancy & Jamie work along side of us in everybarzakh falah testimonials thing we do at Barzak Falah. Most importantly, our group has been instilled a sense of ownership in our projects that we complete & Barzakh Falah. Each day, and each subsequent year, we are able to take pride in our accomplishments to know that we have made a positive impact on the future of Belize. The vision of a safe haven for the abandoned and neglected is coming to fruition. I am proud that our group can be a part of something bigger than ourselves, and make a lasting impact not only in our students, but also on the Cayo District as well.”

– Dr. Kirk Armstrong


“I found that the elective experience met my expectations in what I have learned and seen. It allowed me to see and appreciate another healthcare system and compare it to the one that I am used to. This helps to develop your attitude towards patients and diagnosing. We knew that Belize was a developing country and we wanted to experience what the hospital would be like.”
Clair Testimonial » — Click to read the whole testimonial